Fred Jackson

Pro Football Focus has been publishing depth charts which they grade position-by-position. They recently published a 49ers’ depth chart and graded Kendall Hunter as a below-average “HB2,” or change-of-pace back. Here’s how Hunter’s rushing statistics the past two seasons have stacked up against the change-of-pace backs whom PFF rank as “good” or “high level.” Kendall Hunter: 4.86 yards per carry/ 2.69 yards after contact per carry Darren Sproles: 4.59 yards…

The 49ers will dismantle the Bills on Sunday, just take them apart. The Bills defense can’t stop the run – they give up an average of 4.8 yards per attempt. I expect the following sequence to happen more than once: Frank Gore up the middle for five yards on first and ten; Kendall Hunter up the middle for four yards on second and five; Brandon Jacobs up the middle for…

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. He broke down the Bills quarterback – Ryan Fitzpatrick. Whitner discussed the keys to defending the Bills’ offensive playmakers. And Whitner explained why he knew Colin Kaepernick would play against the Jets. Here’s a transcript. Q: Who’s the guy the defense needs to watch against the Bills? WHITNER: In this game it’s Steve Johnson, No.13. He was there…

Inside the 49ers: Grant Cohn

I cover the San Francisco 49ers year-round for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa. Argue with me, agree with me, or just read the posts and follow the conversation. I've been a contributor to several other regional and national sports websites, and I also write two online columns a week for pressdemocrat.com, which are posted on this site as well.